Jokic went full Jokic

Nikola Jokic put up 35 points, 13 rebounds, and 13 assists as the Denver Nuggets erased a 16-point fourth-quarter deficit to beat the Portland Trail Blazers 137-132 in overtime. It was vintage Jokic — controlling every possession down the stretch, finding cutters, pulling up from midrange, and willing his team back from the dead.

The win has massive playoff implications. Denver jumps the banged-up Lakers for the 3 seed in the Western Conference with just four games remaining. The Lakers, dealing with their own injury issues, are now staring at a potential 4-5 matchup instead of home court advantage.

Portland hung tough — this wasn't a tank job. But when Jokic decides a game isn't over, it isn't over. His fifth 40-point triple-double of the season (by game score) cements him as a top-3 MVP candidate, even in a year dominated by Wembanyama and SGA.